U.N. First Committee Adopts Resolution on ABM TreatyThe First Committee of the United Nations (Disarmament and International Security) Wednesday adopted a resolution calling for united efforts to strengthen the Treaty on the Limitation of Anti-Ballistic Missile Systems (ABM Treaty).The resolution, proposed by Belarus, China, Russia and Kyrgyzstan, was approved by a recorded vote of 78 in favor to 3 against, with 65 abstentions. The resolution also called for united efforts to preserve its integrity and validity so that it remains a cornerstone in maintaining global strategic stability and world peace and in promoting further strategic nuclear arms reductions. The resolution urged the parties to the treaty, in accordance with their obligations, to limit the deployment of anti-ballistic systems and refrain from the deployment of anti-ballistic systems for the defense of the territory of their country and not to provide a base for such a defense, and not to transfer to other states or deploy outside their national territory anti-ballistic missile systems or their components limited by the treaty. The resolution called for renewed efforts by each of the states parties to preserve and strengthen the treaty through full and strict compliance. It urged all U.N. member states to support efforts aimed at stemming the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery. It welcomed the decision taken by the United States of America on September 1, 2000 not to authorize deployment of a national missile defense system at this time. |
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